Portraits ~ Cassandra & George

Michael and I have known George for three years now- he was in our film program all through Full Sail. He moved back to Pennsylvania after graduation last year and six months later, proposed to Cassie. Michael and I only met Cassie last week when we went on a double date to Ruby Tuesdays, after they drove down for a week to play at Universal and Disney! Cassie is very nice, and currently studying to be a teacher for preschoolers with Autism, while also working part time at a children's museum.

George told us about how he proposed to her on Christmas morning last year. They agreed there wasn't much to the story, but it still sounds very romantic. I was lucky enough to take some pictures of them at Cypress Grove Park on Saturday (where Michael and I have had our picnics). It was very hot outside, as it has been every day lately, on days when it doesn't rain, but Cassie and George were such troopers!

The most funny/random part of the shoot was when we saw a rooster running through the grass. I wasn't quick enough to take a picture though. Oh! I should mention, George let me use his camera (thank you again!) for the shoot: the Canon 60D, which is a few steps up from our T2i, but thankfully similar enough that it didn't take him too long to explain the process. However, since the files are a tad bit different, they don't conform to my computer's standards. I will have to find a new download link to properly edit the photos. But for now, these are my few favorite edited screen caps taken from the Image Viewer!

 

~ ✩ ✬ ✭ ✬ ✩ ☆ ✩ ✬ ✭ ✬ ✩ ☆ ✩ ✬ ✭ ✬ ✩ ☆ ~ 

 Updated August 2016: Again, the photos were all still in the RAW CR2 format, but luckily I was able to use the Image Viewer again to get the rest of the pictures that were nice of these two lovely individuals:

Wekiwa Springs

Thank goodness for the call I got at Wekiwa Springs last week and had to look up the address, because that interested me in going there with Sana today! It was a nice place in a beautiful area of Altamonte/Apopka. The plan is to get another disposable underwater camera and go back ~ hopefully with Michael too and rent the kayaks or canoes. Another area of that park has a horse back riding area, incase you (Daddy) want to go there next time you come to visit.

I was super wimpy for about twenty minutes, fearing the cold water. The website said it was 73 degrees all the time and normally I won't even get into a pool unless its 86! But I kept thinking about the risks and "jumps" Michael mentioned we need to take more often - more about moving and pursuing our dreams. 

Finally when Sana counted to three for me, I pushed myself off the ledge. And once I was in, even though it was cold, I was glad I did it and didn't have to leave with regrets. (Thanks for taking pictures of me, Sana!)

For lunch we went to 4Rivers. I had been to one before down Fairbanks Ave, but this one was in Longwood and thank goodness there wasn't a super long Disney line, which normally happens because they are so popular. Food photos: I got pulled pork and Sana got a chicken salad sandwich with grapes in it.

Birthday Princess

Yesterday was Jordyn's 4th birthday. How precious. And to celebrate ~ she went with Jessica, Jonathan and James to Disney! They got to their resort today around 2:00pm and with Jessica's very helpful landmark clues, I was able to find my way to where they were staying. The five of us took a bus to the front of Magic Kingdom, but walked ahead to the monorail. We stopped at the Polynesian Resort where we followed the pool and beach area to the boat dock. For whatever reason, today Jordyn enjoyed a game of "don't look at Rachel's camera" so I was lucky to get this beautiful shot before we departed on the boat. I liked holding her tiny hand and we bonded over being hungry and thirsty, so together we stopped at each water fountain and shared a pack of peanut butter crackers that I had. I pointed out other little princesses her age who had glittery Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty dresses on. Jordyn is most excited to meet Belle and Rapunzel, so I look forward to seeing their family photos in a few days! It was nice getting to spend time with them again. I don't think I had seen Jonathan in a year, since the wedding. Jessica said we are getting spoiled because we have seen each other twice in two months. I'm hoping we can make that a habit. Maybe I can make a trip up to Atlanta in June?!